|
Resident suspects coyote attack in death of her cat
By BOB McCLURE
| Article published on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008 |
|
 |
SEMINOLE – A Seminole woman who was leaving for work and discovered the remains of her cat in her front yard believes the pet was killed by a coyote.
Deirdre Cavener, who lives near the intersection of 102nd Avenue and Antilles Drive, woke up Jan. 8 between 4 and 5 a.m. and immediately let her 10-year-old tabby cat out. It was the cat’s last trip out the front door.
Later, when a business partner arrived to pick her up to go to work, Cavener noticed the carcass of her cat in the front yard.
“It was the most horrific thing I’ve ever seen,” said Cavener. “I live on a quiet cul-de-sac and cats just hang out in the front yard.”
Cavener said she believes it was a coyote that killed her cat because of a recent sighting of a coyote on 102nd Avenue and the condition of the cat’s body.
“It (the cat) looked like an alligator bit it in half,” she said. “That’s what they (coyotes) do. Bite and run.”
Dr. Welch Agnew, director of Pinellas County Animal Services, said it is highly possible the cat was killed by a coyote.
“There are coyotes around Walsingham Park or it could have been dogs,” Welch said. “Dogs generally leave the carcass after they kill an animal because they have a food source. Coyotes usually take the dead prey with them to eat.”
Welch said the best defense against coyotes is to keep small pets inside.
“It’s a terrible thing but there are coyotes running around,” Agnew said. “All you can do is keep them inside. Fencing is helpful.”
Agnew also noted that coyotes have a natural fear of humans and should not ever be fed.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, coyotes are a member of the dog family and are similar in appearance to a medium-size shepherd at 20 to 30 pounds.
They were first seen in Florida about 40 years ago and in recent years they have been spotted in all 67 Florida counties.
Their favorite foods include small domestic dogs, cats, rabbits, raccoons, foxes, birds, eggs from sea turtles, gopher tortoises, garbage, watermelons and cantaloupes.
Coyotes, which generally are most active at sunrise or sunset, seldom are a threat to humans. Most documented cases involve scratches and bites to farmers trying to chase the animals during an attack on other livestock.
Also, coyotes generally hunt alone or in pairs. Occasionally they travel in family units. They can be legally hunted in Florida all year long with guns, dogs, live traps and snares.
Those that suspect they have located a coyote den should contact Pinellas County Animal Services at 582-2600 or the FWC at 863-648-3200.
|
Article published on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
